Reproduction method, reproduction device, editing method and editing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention, along with reproduction based on a reproduction list for reproducing a plurality of main data recorded on an insertable recording medium in the desired sequence specified by the user, also allows user selection of a reproduction list for use from a plurality of reproduction lists based on the reproduction list table for managing the plurality of reproduction lists, and further generates the reproduction list and the reproduction list table.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a reproduction method and adevice to carry out reproduction based on a reproduction list forreproducing a plurality of main data recorded on an insertable recordingmedium in the desired sequence specified by the user, and also for userto select a reproduction list for use from a plurality of reproductionlists based on the reproduction list table for managing the plurality ofreproduction lists, and further relates to an editing method and anediting device to generate the reproduction list and the reproductionlist table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In recent years compact recording mediums are being developed,incorporating fixed memory elements such as flash memories, and mountedinto dedicated drives, or drive devices in audio/video equipment,information equipment, for the storage of computer data, still imagedata, moving image data, music data, and audio data, etc.

[0003] On the other hand, media has spread in the conventional art suchas compact disks (CD) and minidisks (MD) {trademark} for storing musicdata that make recording and reproduction possible by using CD playerand MD recorder/players.

[0004] However, in systems that for instance utilize compact discs (CD)and minidiscs (MD) [trademark], the music data for one song is recordedas one track. Management information referred to as TOC (Table ofContents) is also recorded on that media so that each track is managedso as to be sequentially reproduced in a specified order.

[0005] A track number is typically assigned to each track and the TOCmanages the address of the recording position at each track number. Inthe reproduction device (player), each track number is reproduced in thetrack number sequence by referring to the TOC.

[0006] The user however may enjoy reproduction of the music or otherinformation not only by reproduction of all tracks in the track numbersequence but also by tracks preferred by the user, for instance byreproduction of all or a portion of the tracks in a preferred sequence.In order to meet demands for reproduction of tracks in a user-preferredsequence, in the related art, functions referred to as Program Playbackand Track Move were added to CD players and MD players.

[0007] In the Program Playback function, the user specifies a desiredsequence of songs recorded on the tracks on for instance the CD or MDrecording medium loaded in the reproduction device, and reproduction isperformed in the song sequence as specified by the user.

[0008] In the Track Move Function implemented in an MD system, the tracknumbers themselves are changed or in other words, interchanged in theTOC recorded in the MD. When, for instance, five tracks are recorded onthe tracks from track #1 through track #5, and the user wants to hearthe fifth song of track #5 as the first song, then that fifth song ischanged to track #1 or in other words changed to become the first song,by rewriting the TOC data. The user can then enjoy reproduction of themusic in the desired song sequence even during reproduction in the tracknumber sequence, by interchanging the track number itself.

[0009] However, in the system of the related art, setting a desired songsequence is not easy on the respective recording mediums and also duringreproduction.

[0010] When using the Program Playback function for instance, the songsequence specified by the user is stored in the memory within thatreproduction device (player) and reproduction is performed based on thatstored song sequence. However, after Program Playback, the storedcontent, in other words, the stored song sequence is not retained afterthe power is turned off or after the disk is ejected. If the disk isreplaced with another disk, the song sequence that was specified priorto insertion of the new disk is of course, not usable.

[0011] Accordingly, when using the Program Playback function, the usermust perform the operation to specify the desired song sequence eachtime reproduction is to be performed.

[0012] Restated, Program Playback is not a satisfactory function whenthe user want to reproduce even for just one time, a song sequence thatis different from the usual song sequence.

[0013] When using the Track Move function on the other hand, once TrackMove is performed, that status, or in other words, the status where thetrack numbers are changed is retained in the TOC so that the now alteredsong sequence will afterwards always be reproduced in that samesequence. This situation is fine when the user wants to reproduce allfuture songs in this new song sequence but the Track Move function isnot satisfactory when the user wants to reproduce a different songsequence even just one time.

[0014] Therefore, even though the Program Playback and Track Movefunctions each have their respective advantages, these functions cannotset many, diverse song sequences on respective recording medium eachrecorded with different songs, etc. Further, these functions do notallow the desired song sequence to easily be selected each timereproduction is performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In view of the above problems with the related art, the presentinvention has the object of providing a reproduction method to reproducethe main reproduction data in a desired reproduction sequence from arecording medium having a record region recorded with a plurality ofmain data, a first management region to manage the recording position ofthe main data, and a second management region recorded with a playlistto manage the reproduction sequence of the main data, wherein thereproduction method comprises a step to retrieve whether a playlist forreproduction of the main data in the desired sequence is recorded or noton the second management region on the recording medium; and a step toreadout and reproduce the main data from the record area based on thefirst management region, in the reproduction sequence according to theretrieved playlist when as a result of the above retrieving step, theplaylist is retrieved in the second management region.

[0016] The present invention has the further object of providing anediting method to edit a playlist for reproducing the main data in thedesired reproduction sequence from a recording medium having a recordregion recorded with a plurality of main data, a first management regionto manage the recording position of the main data, and a secondmanagement region for managing the reproduction sequence of the maindata, wherein the editing method comprises a step to display informationrelating to the main data recorded on the management region based on thefirst management region; a step to sequentially select the main dataregistered on said playlist from the displayed information according tothe user operation; and a step to register the selected main data, theinformation related to the first management region, and the reproductionsequence of the main data, in the related playlist of the secondmanagement region.

[0017] The present invention has the still further object of providing areproduction device for reproduction of main data in a desired sequencefrom a recording medium having a record region recorded with a pluralityof main data, a first management region to manage the recording positionof the main data, and a second management region for managing thereproduction sequence of the main data, wherein the reproduction devicecomprises a reproduction means for reproducing the main data from therecord region; retrieving means for retrieve whether or not a playlistis recorded on the second management region for reproduction of the maindata in the desired sequence; first acquisition means for acquiring aplaylist from the second management region; second acquisition means foracquiring the record position of the main data from the first managementregion; and control means for acquiring the playlist retrieved by thefirst acquisition means when the playlist was retrieved in the secondmanagement region by retrieving in the above retrieving means, acquiringthe record position of the main data reproduced in sequence by thesecond acquisition means based on the playlist, and reproduce the maindata with the reproduction means based on the acquired main datarecording position.

[0018] The present invention has the yet further object of providing anediting device to edit the playlist for reproduction of data in adesired reproduction sequence from a recording medium having a recordregion recorded with a plurality of main data, a first management regionto manage the recording position of the main data, and a secondmanagement region for managing the reproduction sequence of the maindata, wherein the editing device comprises display means for displayinginformation related to the main data recorded in the record region basedon the first management region; operating means for the user to selectthe main data registered in the prelist from among the displayedinformation; write means for writing the edited playlist onto therecording medium; and control means for displaying with the displaymeans, information related to the main data recorded on the recordregion based on said first management region, obtaining by the operatingmeans the instructions selected for the main data selected by the userfrom information relating to data displayed with the display means,sequentially recording on the related playlist the data selected by theuser with information relating to the first management region and thereproduction sequence of the main data, and recording the playlist inthe second management region of the recording medium by use of saidwrite means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a concept view showing a typical connection includingthe drive device for the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2A is an elevational view of the outer contours of the stickmemory of the embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 2B is a side view showing the outer contours of the stickmemory of the embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 2C is a flat view showing the outer contours of the stickmemory of the embodiment.

[0023]FIG. 2D is a bottom view showing the outer contours of the stickmemory of the embodiment.

[0024]FIG. 3A is a flat view showing the outer contours of the drivedevice of the embodiment.

[0025]FIG. 3B is a top view showing the outer contours of the drivedevice of the embodiment.

[0026]FIG. 3C is a left side view showing the outer contours of thedrive device of the embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 3D is a bottom view showing the outer contours of the drivedevice of the embodiment.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the drive device of the embodiment.

[0029]FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing showing the directoryconfiguration in the stick memory of the embodiment.

[0030]FIG. 6 is an explanatory drawing showing the file configuration inthe stick memory of the embodiment.

[0031]FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing showing the file configuration inthe stick memory of the embodiment.

[0032]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the prelist creation process of theembodiment.

[0033]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the reproduction process of theembodiment.

[0034]FIG. 10 is a concept view of a typical connection for thereproduction process of the embodiment.

[0035]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing in the copy sourcedrive device during copy in the embodiment.

[0036]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing in the copydestination drive device during copy in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The embodiments of the present invention are next explained whilereferring to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a stickmemory having a stick-shaped contour is described as the recordingmedium, and drive device to perform record and reproduction of the stickmemory is described.

[0038] The description will be given in the following order.

[0039] 1. System connections

[0040] 2. Stick memory

[0041] 3. Drive device structure

[0042] 4. File configuration inside stick memory

[0043] 5. Playlist creation process

[0044] 6. Reproduction process

[0045] 7. Copy process

[0046] 1. System connections

[0047] A typical system connection for a drive device 20 is shown inFIG. 1. Data recording and reproducing of data for that stick memory 1can be performed by loading a stick memory 1 in the drive device 20. Ifa stick memory 1 recorded for instance with music data is loaded intothe drive device 20, then the music can be heard by connecting theheadphones 12 and playing back the music.

[0048] The reproduction audio signal can be input from a CD player 10and recorded on the stick memory 1 by connecting a cable 13 to the CDplayer 10 utilized as the external reproduction device.

[0049] Data supplied from a personal computer 11 can be recorded on thestick memory 1 or data reproduced from the stick memory 1 can betransferred to the personal computer 11 by connecting a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) cable 15 to an information device such as a personalcomputer 11.

[0050] Also, though not shown in the figure, a microphone can beconnected and the resultant collected audio recorded on the stick memory1; or a recording device such as an MD recorded can be connected anddata supplied, and the data recorded on the recording medium loaded inthat recording device.

[0051] By connecting various devices in this way to the drive device 20,recording or reproduction can be performed even in a portable state orconnections can be made to devices installed for instance in the gardenor the workplace and system then operated.

[0052] The drive device 20 in this example for instance has a displaywhich allows data such as document data and image data recorded in thestick memory 1 to be reproduced in the drive device 20 unit.

[0053] Also, though not installed in the structure of the drive device20 of the subsequently related example, if an internal microphone orspeaker is provided, then reproduction of music, audio or moving imagesor recording can be performed from the stick memory 1 in the drivedevice 20 unit.

[0054] 2. Stick memory

[0055] The external contours of the stick memory 1 utilized as therecording medium in this example are described while referring to FIG.2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D.

[0056] The stick memory 1 is for instance having a memory element with aspecified capacity in the stick shapes inside the chassis of FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D. In these examples, a flash memory isutilized as the memory element.

[0057] The chassis shown in the flat view of FIG. 2C, the elevated viewof FIG. 2A, the side view of FIG. 2B and the bottom view of FIG. 2D areformed for instance by a plastic mold. A working example of sizes forthe widths W11, W12, W13 shown in the figure is W11=60 mm, W12=20 mm,W13=2.8 mm.

[0058] The terminal section 2 is formed to have nine electrodes from thebottom of the elevated portion to the bottom side. Read-out and writeoperations are performed on the internal portion of the memory elementfrom this terminal 2.

[0059] A notch 3 is formed on the upper left towards the flat side ofthe chassis. The notch 3 prevents the stick memory 1 from being insertedfacing in the wrong direction when being loaded into the loadingmechanism in the drive device.

[0060] An irregular section 4 was formed on the bottom side of thechassis with the purpose of preventing slipping to improve operability.

[0061] The bottom side is formed with a slide switch 5 with the objectof preventing mistaken erasure of the memory contents.

[0062] In a stick memory 1, the capacity of the flash memory isspecified as any of 4MB (megabytes), 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB and 128MB.

[0063] A so-called FAT (File Allocation Table) system is utilized as afile system for data recording or reproduction.

[0064] 3. Drive device structure

[0065] The structure of the drive device 20 is explained using theexamples of FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D and FIG. 4.

[0066] An example of the outer contours of the drive device 20 is shownwith the flat view, upper view, left side view and bottom view of FIG.3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D.

[0067] The stick memory 1 is inserted in the loader 22 formed in the topside of the device as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0068] A display section 21 is formed for instance of a liquid crystalpanel in the drive device 20 and the reproduced images and characters,or the information appended to the reproduced audio or music and also aguide message for operation are displayed.

[0069] Different types of terminals (or jacks) are formed for connectingto each type of equipment as shown in FIG. 1. A headphone terminal 23and a line output terminal (jack) 24 are formed for instance on theupper side as shown in FIG. 3B. By connecting a headphone 12 to theheadphone terminal 23 as shown in FIG. 1, an audio reproduction signalis supplied to the headphone 12 and the user can hear the reproducedaudio.

[0070] The line output terminal (jack) 24 can be connected by an audiocable to an external device, to supply a reproduction audio signal tothat external device. By connecting a speaker system for instance to anaudio amplifier, reproduced music or audio from the stick memory 1 canbe heard, or by connecting a mini-disk recorder or tape recorder,reproduced music or audio from the stick memory 1 can also be recorded(dubbed) onto another medium.

[0071] A microphone input terminal (jack) (25), line input terminal 26and a digital input terminal 27 are for instance formed on the side ofthe drive device 20 as shown in FIG. 3C.

[0072] By connecting a microphone to the microphone input terminal(jack) (25), the audio signal from the microphone can be input to thedrive device 20 and can be recorded for instance on the stick memory 1.

[0073] Also, by connecting an external device such as the CD player 10as shown in FIG. 1 to the line input terminal 26, an audio signal can besupplied from the external device and can be recorded for instance onthe stick memory 1.

[0074] Further, digital audio data transmitted by optical cable can beinput by means of the digital input terminal 27. If for instance, anexternal CD player is compatible with digital signal outputs, thendigital dubbing can be performed by connecting an optical cable.

[0075] A USB connector 28 is formed on the bottom side of the drivedevice 20 as shown in FIG. 3D. The USB connector 28 allows various typesof communication and data exchange with USB compatible equipment such asa personal computer having a USB interface.

[0076] The above described types and quantities of terminals (or jacks)are only examples, and others types configurations and quantities arealso allowed. A digital output terminal (jack) may be installed that iscompatible with optical cables, or a SCSI (Small Computer SystemInterface) connector, RS232C connector, or an IEEE 1394 connector may beformed, etc.

[0077] The structure of these terminals (jacks) is known in the relatedart and is thus not described here, however the headphone terminal 23and the line input terminal 24 may be combined for joint use as oneterminal, or may be further combined with the digital output terminal 27for joint use.

[0078] Similarly, the microphone input 25, the digital input terminal 27and the line input terminal 26 may also be combined for joint use as oneterminal.

[0079] The drive device 20 is further installed with operating keys forutilization by the user, such as a play key 31, a stop key 32, a REW andAMS (Automatic Music Search) key 33, FF (fast-forward) and AMS key 34, apause key 35, and a record key 36.

[0080] These operating keys are applicable in particular to therecording and reproduction of audio or music data or moving picture datahowever the above description constitutes nothing more than an example.Keys other than those related above, such as cursor movement keys,number keys, or operating dials such as jog dials may also be installed.

[0081] Also in this example, a playlist select key 37 and a playlistedit key 38 are installed in order to operate the subsequently relatedplaylist. The processing corresponding to these operations is relatedlater on.

[0082] A power on/off key is not shown however the power on/off key maybe combined for joint used with for instance, the play key 31, or thecircuitry may be designed to turn off the power after a specified timehas elapsed after pressing the stop key 32, so that the power key is notrequired. A power supply key may of course be installed.

[0083] A variety of types and quantities of operating keys may beinstalled however the operations for the recording and reproductionincluding the writing and selection of the subsequently relatedplaylist, as well as the operation for copying of the playlist arepossible with just the operating keys shown in FIG. 3A, and reducing thequantity of keys, as well as making their equipment more compact andinexpensive may also be implemented.

[0084] The internal structure of the drive device 20 is shown in FIG.4A. The drive device 20 can handle many different types of main dataincluding moving image data, still image data, voice data, music datainput from compact disks (CD) and ROMs, and control data, for read outand write on the stick memory 1.

[0085] A CPU 41 is the central processing unit of the drive device 20and controls the operation of each section as explained next.

[0086] The interior of the CPU 41 contains a ROM41 a to store forinstance operating program and various constants, and a RAM41 b as thework region.

[0087] An operating section 30, equivalent to the above mentionedoperating keys 31 through 38, the CPU 41 performs the control operationsspecified in the operating program according to the operating inputinformation from the operating section 30.

[0088] The CPU 41 is further installed with a flash memory 48 and theCPU 41 is capable of storing information on system settings relating toall types of operations such as music record mode, reproduction volumeand display mode in the flash memory 48.

[0089] A real-time clock 48 is the so-called clock section andcalculates the current date and time. The CPU 41 can verify the currentdate and time from the real-time clock 44.

[0090] The USB interface 43 is a communication interface with theexternal devices connected to the USB connector 28. The CPU 41 canperform-data communication by way of the USB interface 43 with forexample an external personal computer. The USB interface 43 canimplement the transmitting and receiving for instance of control data,computer data, image data, and audio data.

[0091] A regulator 47 and a DC/DC converter 47 are utilized as the powersupply section. When the power is turned on, the CPU 41 issuesinstructions for power-on to the regulator 46. The regulator 46 startsto supply power from the battery (dry cells or charger) in response tothese instructions. The power supply voltage from the battery isconverted to the required voltage in the DC/DC converter 47, and thisvoltage is supplied to each block as the operating voltage Vcc.

[0092] A terminal such as an AC adapter terminal may be formed to permitthe supply of power from an external commercial power supply.

[0093] The CPU 41 can access the stick memory 1 by way of the memoryinterface 42, when the stick memory is inserted into the loader 22, andthe recording/reproduction/editing of all types of data can beimplemented.

[0094] The CPU 41 can display the required image on the display section21 by controlling the display driver 45. The guide display and the menufor user operation or for instance a display of the file contents storedin the stick memory 1 can be implemented. Also, if image data for amoving image or a still image is recorded in the stick memory 1, thenthe image data can be read-out and displayed on the display section 21.

[0095] In the above example, a digital input terminal 27, a microphoneinput terminal 25, a line input terminal 26 a headphone terminal 23 anda line output terminal 24 can be formed for input and output of musicsignals, voice signal and audio signals, etc.

[0096] An SAM (Security Application Module :encrypting and executionprocessor) 50, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ADDA converter(analog→digital, digital→analog converter) 54, a power amplifier 56, amicrophone amplifier 53, an optical input module 51 and a digital inputsection 52 are installed as the audio signal processing systemcorresponding to the above mentioned terminals.

[0097] The SAM50 performs data encryption and execution between the CPU41 and the DSP49, and also exchanges the encryption key with the CPU 41.

[0098] The DSP49 performs audio data compression and decompression basedon instructions from the CPU 41.

[0099] The digital input section 52 performs input interface processingof the digital-audio data received from the optical input module.

[0100] The ADDA converter 54 performs analog-to-digital conversion anddigital-to-analog conversion of audio signals.

[0101] The input and output of the audio signals in the above blocks isperformed as follows.

[0102] The signal supplied to the digital input terminal 27 as digitalaudio data from an external device byway of the optical cable, isphoto-electrically converted by way of the optical input module 51 andinput, and receive signal processing performed according to thetransmission format of the digital input section 52. The digital audiodata extracted from the received signal is compressed in the DSP49,encrypted in the SAM50 and supplied to the CPU 41 for instance forrecording of the data onto the stick memory 1.

[0103] When a microphone is connected to the microphone input 25, afterthe audio signal input to the microphone input 25 is amplified in themicrophone amplifier 53, A/D conversion is performed in the ADDAconverter 54, and the output supplied to the DSP49 as digital audiodata. After data compression in the DSP49 and encryption in the SAM50,the data is supplied to the CPU 41, for instance for recording of dataonto the stick memory 1.

[0104] The input audio signal from an external device connected to theline input terminal 26 is A/D converted in the in the ADDA converter 54and the output supplied to the DSP49 as digital audio data. After datacompression in the DSP49 and encryption in the SAM50, the data issupplied to the CPU 41, for instance for recording of data onto thestick memory 1.

[0105] In cases such as the output of audio data that was read-out fromthe stick memory 1, the CPU 41 processes that audio data through theSAM50 and performs decompression of the data in the DSP49. The digitalaudio data resulting from this processing is converted into an analogsignal in the ADDA converter 54, and supplied to the power amplifier 56.

[0106] The power amplifier 56 performs headphone amplification and lineoutput amplification and supplies the amplified signals to respectivelythe headphone terminal 23 and the line output terminal 24.

[0107] The structure of the drive device shown in FIG. 4 onlyconstitutes an example and the invention is not limited by the example.In other words, any type of record/reproduction device can be utilizedas long as the structure is capable of the writing and read-out of datacompatible with the stick memory 1.

[0108] The present invention is also applicable to a record devicecomprising only a record function, and to a reproduction devicecomprising only a reproduction function.

[0109] 4. File configuration inside stick memory

[0110] The file configuration stored in the stick memory 1 is describednext.

[0111] A typical directory configuration is shown in FIG. 5.

[0112] As previously mentioned, the main data capable of being handledby the stick memory 1 is data such as moving image data, still imagedata, voice data, music data and control data. The directory thereforecomprises a VOICE (voice directory), DCIM (still image directory),MOxxxxnn (moving image directory), CONTROL (control directory) and HIFI(music directory) from the route directory.

[0113] The file for the music data is given in this example, sosubdirectories of the HIFI (music directory) is utilized in thedescription of the playlist given later.

[0114] The TRKLIST track list, the A2D00001, A2D00002 . . . audio datafiles, the TBPLIST playlist table, the PLIST1 PLIST2 playlist and so onare formed as subdirectories in the HIFI directory as shown in thefigure.

[0115] The subdirectory names such as the folder names and file namesA2D00002, PLIST1 and the file types constitute only temporary names usedfor providing an explanation.

[0116] The track list TRKLIST is management information such as for theaudio data file, and is information equivalent to the so-called TOC in aCD or MD. Hereafter the tracklist is referred to as TOC.

[0117] In other words, the parts of the track, names and address pointerare listed as this audio data file as the track recorded on the stickmemory 1. Accordingly, information such as the number and song names andaccess positions at reproduction recorded on the audio data file can befound by referring to the TOC in this drive device 2. Each audio datafile is managed by means of a song number added as the track number inthe TOC. This track number is equivalent to the song reproductionsequence during normal reproduction.

[0118] The audio data file consisting of a track holds a file for onesong, and each track is managed in the track number sequence (TRK1, TRK2. . . ) in the TOC. In the system of this example, the audio datarecorded as the track is data compressed by the ATRAC2 method in DSP49.

[0119] Recording and reproduction can be performed on the tracks of thissystem in the directory configuration recorded with the TOC and thetracks.

[0120] The playlist and the playlist table recorded here allow thereproduction of many, different song sequences. The actual processingrelating to the playlist table and the playlist are described later on,however the playlist table is table information for managing one or aplurality of recorded playlists. The playlist is a data file listing thesong sequence of the track.

[0121] The configuration of the directory as shown in FIG. 5 constitutesonly an example and the invention is not limited by the example. A filefor instance, can be formed within the subdirectory, or an additionalinformation file can be formed such as a file recorded with informationappended to a track.

[0122] An example of a file recorded on the stick memory 1 is shown inFIG. 6.

[0123] In this example, five tracks, or in other words five songs arerespectively recorded as tracks TRK1 through TRK5 on the directorystructure in the stick memory 1. These tracks TRK1 through TRK5 are in amodel type format shown respectively by the TOC pointers PTK1 throughPTK5.

[0124] In other words, the tracks TRK1 through TRK5 are recorded in astate managed by the TOC. The tracks can also be managed not only by theabove mentioned pointer in the TOC but also by the song title and otherinformation.

[0125] In the recorded state shown in FIG. 6 for example, duringreproduction in the drive device 20, each track is reproduced in thesong sequence managed by the TOC or in other words by the track numbersequence. Therefore, during reproduction without any particularinstructions from the user, the track TRK1 is first reproduced, and whentrack TRK1 is finished, the track TRK2 is next reproduced. Reproductionis thus performed in this sequence and this series of reproductionoperations is ended at the point when the reproduction of track TRK5ends.

[0126]FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the status when a playlist table andtwo playlists PL1 and PL2 are added to the status shown in FIG. 6.

[0127] In the playlist table, the playlists PL1 and PL2 are respectivelyshown by the pointers PPL1, PPL2 along with the playlist names PL1 andPL2 registered for instance by the user. The position where the playlistnames PL1 and PL2 are recorded in the stick memory 1 is for instancerecorded in the pointers PPL1, PPL1. In other words, the playlists PL1and PL2 are recorded in a state managed by the playlist table.

[0128] In the PL1 and PL2, the entry number sequence of the tracks isspecified, so for instance, a song sequence of tracks TRK3, TRK4 andTRK1 is registered on the playlist PL1.

[0129] When performing reproduction in the drive device 20 with theplaylist selected by the user, after the position of the selectedplaylist recorded in the stick memory 1 is obtained as a pointer fromthe playlist, the reproduction operation is implemented in the songsequence registered in the playlist obtained based on the pointer. Whenfor instance, the playlist PL1 is selected, the CPU 41 of the drivedevice 20 controls reproduction operation in the track TRK3, TRK4 songsequence.

[0130] In other words, in this case, after first verifying that theentry number of the playlist PL1 is track TRK3, the CPU 41 checks thepointer PTK3 of track TRK3 from the TOC, accesses the track TRK3 andperforms reproduction. Next, reproduction of entry number 2 of trackTRK4 is performed in the same way, and then reproduction of entry number3 of the track TRK1 also performed.

[0131] The TOC is referred to and access performed for the trackregistered on the entry number when performing reproduction in the songsequence according to the playlist however, by registering the trackpointer inside the playlist for instance, reproduction can be performedwithout having to refer to the TOC. The playlist can therefore beconsidered as having a TOC function.

[0132] 5. Playlist creation process

[0133] In order to perform reproduction in the song sequence based onthe playlist in this way, the recording of the playlist must first beperformed.

[0134] The user therefore implements a playlist creation operation sothat recording of the specified playlist with the desired song sequenceis implemented in the drive device 20.

[0135] The processing in the CPU 41 for creating the playlist is shownin FIG. 8.

[0136] The user presses the playlist edit key 38 for making theplaylist.

[0137] After the CPU 41 detects the operating of the edit key 38, theprocess shifts to the playlist creation mode, and the process proceedsfrom steps F101 to F102 in FIG. 8.

[0138] In step F102, the CPU 41 access the stick memory 1 by way of thememory interface 42, reads (loads) the TOC and deploys that TOCinformation in a RAM41 b.

[0139] In step F103, the variable n is set in 1.

[0140] Next, in step F104, the screen display is shown in the displaysection 21 to request track selection by the user and TOC information.

[0141] Along with for instance, displaying the track number and songtitles recorded on the track, on a list in the display section 21, asTOC information, a screen display of track numbers in the sequenceselected by the user is also performed.

[0142] In steps F105, F106, F107, the process is in standby status foruser operation.

[0143] The user can select the desired track number by operating forinstance, FF key 34 and the REW key 33, and can also make selectionswith the play key 31. The user can also for instance, utilize theplaylist edit key 38 for specifying the end of entries for all trackswhere attempting registration. The stop key 32 for instance may alsohave the functions of a cancel-operation key.

[0144] Needless to say, other operating keys may be utilized, ordedicated operating keys installed for use as user operating keys fortrack selection/cancel, or ending entry. Hereafter, an example isdescribed utilizing the user operating keys shown in FIG. 3 for theprocessing from FIG. 8 through FIG. 12 however, whatever kind of key isutilized for the respective operation or whatever key is provided may beset according to the design circumstances of the drive device actuallyused.

[0145] The process is discontinued from step F105 when the user performsthe cancel operation.

[0146] After the user has made a selection with the FF key 34 or the REWkey 33 or selected the track number and set the selection with the playkey 31, the CPU 41 makes the process proceed from step F106 to F107 andan entry number (n) is stored as the selected track number.

[0147] Next, in step F108, when determined that variable n=1, in otherwords, at the point after confirming that the entry of the first song isended, along with making a new playlist, a pointer is set on theplaylist table. In other words, management information is set forregistration in the playlist table for the playlist that is to begenerated.

[0148] If no playlist table is found to be present in the stick memory 1at that point, or in other words, if not even one playlist existed atthis point, then data is also generated for writing as a new playlist.

[0149] In step F110, the variable n is returned to step F104 asincrements, and a display screen again appears, asking the user forentry of the next track number.

[0150] The user sequentially enters one or more track numbers and thesetrack numbers are stored as entry numbers by means of the processing insteps F104 through F110.

[0151] At the point where one or more track numbers have been enteredand the user is finished making selections, or in other words whenoperation to end the track number entry was performed, the processingproceeds from step F111 to F112, and the CPU 41 next, along withdisplaying a screen requesting entry of the name of the playlistcurrently being generated, also inputs the characters entered by theuser.

[0152] The user can for instance, confirm entry of the charactersentered by operating the play key 31 after selecting the characters orusing the FF key 34 or the REW key 33. For instance, the CPU 41 caneffect changes the character above the cursor on the display, accordingto user operation of the FF key 34 or the REW key 33, and can thenverify and input those characters into the RAM41 b at the point when theplay key 31 is operated.

[0153] Characters can be selected one at a time according to thisoperation and processing, and the user can end the entry process at thepoint when entry of the string of characters constituting the name isfinished.

[0154] When entry of the characters is finished, the process proceedsfrom step F113 to F114 and data is created as the playlist on the RAM41b. In other words, the playlist is created as file data, based on thetrack number stored in the entry number sequence.

[0155] Then, in step 115, the updating of the prelist table is performedalong with writing a file as the playlist on the stick memory 1 by wayof the memory interface 42. If a prelist table does not exist in thestick memory 1 at that point, a data file itself is created as theplaylist table, and writing is performed on that data file. The updatingof the playlist table is a process to write name data entered by theuser and pointer set in step F109 as management information for the newplaylist.

[0156] A playlist can therefore be recorded in the stick memory 1 asshown for instance in FIG. 7, by the above described processing.

[0157] The playlists PL1 and PL2 can be recorded by performing thisplaylist creation processing twice.

[0158] 6. Reproduction process

[0159] The processing in the CPU 41 shown in FIG. 9, is next describedwhen music recorded in the stick memory 1 is reproduced as a track inthe drive device 20.

[0160] The CPU 41 starts the play process when the user presses the playkey 31, however the CPU 41 usually starts play of each track in thetrack number sequence managed in the TOC.

[0161] However, when the user performs the play process after selectingthe playlist beforehand, the CPU 41 plays each track in the songsequence registered in that selected playlist.

[0162] During stopping of operation, the CPU 41 monitors the play key31, and playlist select key 37 as operations relating to reproduction,in steps F201 and F202.

[0163] The user presses the playlist select key 33 when selection of aplaylist is desired. When the playlist select key 33 is pressed, the CPU41 processing proceeds from step F202 to F203, shifting to playlistselection mode.

[0164] Though not shown in FIG. 9, when a playlist as shown in FIG. 6,is not present in the stick memory 1 that was loaded, the playlistselect key 37 is inoperable.

[0165] In step F203, the stick memory 1 is accessed by way of theinterface 42, the playlist table and playlist are read-out (loaded) andthis information deployed in the RAM41 b.

[0166] Next, in step F204, a screen display requesting playlistinformation and selection of the playlist by the user is made to appearon the display section 21.

[0167] As playlist information for instance, the display section 21,displays a list of names of recorded playlists along with a screendisplay requesting the user to select a playlist.

[0168] The process then stands by in steps F205, F206 for useroperation.

[0169] The user for instance, operates the FF key 34 and REW key 33 toselect the desired playlist and enters the selection with the play key31. The user may also use the stop key 31 as a cancel key.

[0170] When the user has performed the cancel operation, the playlistselection processing is stopped from F205, and the process returns tothe monitor processing of steps F201, F202.

[0171] When the user has entered his selection or in other words, usedthe play key 31 after selecting from the playlist or using the FF key 34or REW key 33, the CPU 41 processing proceeds from step F206 to F207,and the selected/entered playlist is set as the playlist to use duringreproduction. The name (file name) of the selected playlist is forinstance stored in the RAM41 b or the flash memory. The processing thenreturns to the monitor processing of steps F201, F202.

[0172] One playlist is thus selected from among the recorded playlists,by means of the above processing.

[0173] In the monitor processing of steps F201, F202, when the operationby the user of the play key 31 has been detected, the processingproceeds to step F208. Here however, whether or not the playlistselection was already performed or the playlist selected is determined,in other words, whether or not the processing of step F207 is finishedis determined.

[0174] If not selected or if the playlist has not been recorded, theprocessing returns to step F209, the TOC is read-out (loaded), and thesong sequence set as the track number sequence in the TOC. In otherwords, the track numbers are used unchanged, as entry numbers-for thesong sequence.

[0175] However, when the playlist has been selected by the processing ofstep F207, the process proceeds to step F210, the playlist table isreferred to, the playlist read-out (loaded), and the sequence of tracknumbers entered on that playlist is set as the song sequence. The TOCrequired for play(back) operation is also loaded.

[0176] When the processing of step F209 or F210 is finished, thevariable n is set to 1 in step F211, the actual reproduction of thetrack starts from step F212.

[0177] The entry number (n) of the track is read-out here and thatreproduction audio data is then output. The output undergoes the blockprocessing as related above, implemented via the headphone terminal 23,line out terminal 24, and the USB terminal 28, etc.

[0178] During reproduction of the track, the CPU 41 displays the tracknumber, song title, time information such as the song play progress andincidental information on the display section 21.

[0179] During reproduction of the track, the user stop operation and theend of track reproduction is monitored in steps F213, F214.

[0180] Then, at the end of reproduction of the currently played track,the process proceeds from step F214 to step F215, and a determination ismade whether the current entry number (n) is the final number or not, orin other words, if reproduction has finished or not on all necessarytracks. If not finished, then the variable n is incremented in step F216and the process returns to step F212. In other words, the track with thenext entry number is played.

[0181] When the stop key 32 is operated by the user during thisreproduction, or at the point where reproduction of all necessary trackshas ended, the process proceeds from step F213 or F215 to step F217, andalong with ending of a series of operations constituted by the read-out(loading) from the stick memory 1 as the reproduction processing of theaudio data, the deployment in the SAM50, decompression in the DSP49 andthe D/A conversion processing in the ADDA converter; the displayperformed on the display section 21 that accompanies the reproduction isalso ended.

[0182] In other words, in this kind of processing or when the playlistwas selected, the reproduction proceeds in the song sequence registeredin that playlist. For instance, when the playlist PL1 was selected asshown in FIG. 7, the entry number 1 becomes track TRK3, the entry number2 becomes track TRK4 and the entry number 3 becomes track TRK1 so thatthe tracks TRK3, TRK4 and TRK1 are respectively reproduced in sequence.Then, at the point where the reproduction of track TRK1 has ended, theentry number 3 is the final entry number so that the process proceedsfrom step F215 to F217 and the reproduction ends.

[0183] When on the other hand, the playlist was not selected or there isno playlist, the entry number matches the track number so that when thetracks TRK1 through TRK5 are recorded as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, thetracks TRK1, TRK2, TRK3, TRK4, TRK5 are respectively reproduced insequence, and the end of the track reproduction ends the reproductionoperation.

[0184] The user can therefore specify a desired reproduction sequencefor all or a portion of the tracks recorded on the stick memory 1 thatwas loaded, and record the playlist that was generated onto therecording medium, by utilizing the above playlist creation processingand reproduction processing. During reproduction, the user can alsospecify one desired playlist from among one or a plurality of playlistsrecorded on the stick memory 1 that was loaded, so that one or aplurality of tracks can be sequentially reproduced based on thespecified playlist.

[0185] If the user therefore records the desired reproduction sequenceor song sequence as the playlist on the stick memory 1, then, besidesthe normal reproduction sequence based on the TOC in that stick memory,the song sequence recorded in the selected playlist can be reproducedjust by selecting that playlist. In other words, beside being able toset many song sequences as desired in each stick memory 1, duringreproduction many different reproduction sequences on tracks can easilybe enjoyed just by selecting the playlist.

[0186] Also, since the just the desired song can be selected and thesong sequence registered, the user can easily reproduce many kinds ofsongs from among the recorded tracks, to match personal moods andpreferences.

[0187] The recording of the playlist in this way and the reproductionbased on the playlist, allow management that makes handling of thenumerous tracks recorded on the stick memory 1 extremely easy for theuser.

[0188] In cases for instance, where the number of tracks is extremelylarge, searching for the desired song just with the track number byusing the TOC can be a bothersome task, however finding the desired songcan become simple, by grouping and registering the tracks in a pluralityof playlists beforehand. As one example, when many different musicgenres are recorded on one stick memory 1, a desired song sequence offor instance only classical music can be registered on the playlist PL1,a desired song sequence of for instance only jazz music can beregistered on the playlist PL2, and further, a desired song sequence offor instance only rock music can be registered on the playlist PL3.

[0189] When the above pre-registration has been performed and the userwants to hear a song grouped into the jazz genre, the playlist PL2 isfirst selected and reproduction implemented with the reproductionoperation of FIG. 9. Then, only jazz songs are reproduced in sequence.Also, when the user wants to hear only a particular song from among thatjazz music, then the user proceeds through the song such as by using theFF key during reproduction, based on that playlist PL2 and can thereforeeasily and speedily implement reproduction of the target song.

[0190] This method can be used not only for grouping of genres but alsoby music album such as CDs, or by artist as preferred by the user. Whenfor instance, many tracks dubbed for instance., from a plurality ofmusic albums are recorded onto one stick memory 1, if registered inplaylists according to album, then by selecting a playlist and startingreproduction, the user can then enjoy listening to reproduction of justthe target album.

[0191] In this way, the playlist can be set not just for a songsequence, but can also function to establish an order among the tracksregistered on the stick memory 1.

[0192] 7. Copy process

[0193] The system of this example is also capable of copying theplaylist recorded on the stick memory 1, onto another stick memory 1.This copy process is explained next.

[0194]FIG. 10 shows two drive devices 20A and 20B respectively loadedwith two stick memories 1A, 1B and connected by a USB connector 14. Inthis connection, the stick memory 1A loaded in the drive device 20A isthe copy source, and the stick memory 1B loaded in the drive device 20Bis the copy destination in a connection arrangement allowing copying ofthe playlist as well as the track data.

[0195] When one or a plurality of tracks and one or a plurality ofplaylists are recorded in the stick memory 1A, a playlist and the trackentered in that playlist are copied onto the stick memory 1B so thatwhen the stick memory 1B is used for reproduction, a reproductionoperation identical to the reproduction by means of the playlistregistered in the stick memory 1A is obtained.

[0196] The copy operation processing flow by the CPU 41 for the drivedevice 20A as the copy source is shown in FIG. 11, and the copyoperation processing flow by the CPU 41 for the drive device 20B as thecopy destination is shown in FIG. 12.

[0197] After the user has connected the drive devices 20A, 20B loadedwith the respective stick memories 1A and 1B as shown in FIG. 10, toperform copying, the copy mode operation is performed on the drivedevice 20A side. Copy can be performed for instance, by holding down theplaylist edit key 38 for two seconds or more.

[0198] The CPU 41 of drive device 20A, shifts to copy mode afterdetecting the copy mode operation and the processing proceeds from stepF301 to F302.

[0199] In step F302, the CPU 41 accesses the stick memory 1A by way ofthe memory interface 42, loads (reads out) the TOC, playlist, andplaylist table and deploys this various information in the RAM41 b.

[0200] Next, in step F303, a screen is displayed on the display section21 requesting selection by the user of the playlist for copying.

[0201] Along with for instance displaying a list of recorded playlistnames, a screen appears on the display section 21 for the user to enterone playlist. The process then stands by in steps F304 and F305 foroperation by the user.

[0202] The user selects the desired playlist by operating for examplethe FF key 34 or the REW key 33 and then enters the selection with theplay key 31. The user may also cancel a copy operation that should bestopped.

[0203] When the user has performed the cancel operation, the processingis discontinued from step F304.

[0204] After the user has selected the track number with the FF key 34or REW key 33 and entered the selection with the play key 31, the CPU 41processing proceeds from step F305 to F306, and the copy data for theselected playlist that was entered, in other words, the data for sendingto the drive device 20B side is generated.

[0205] Next, in step F307, the copy data, in other words, the contentsof the selected playlist is presented to the user on the display section21 and a check message for implementing copying displayed. The tracknumber entered in the selected playlist and the song name are forinstance displayed and a check message queries the user about whether ornot to implement copying for those contents.

[0206] If the user has made a mistake in selecting the playlist, thenthe processing can be ended at that point by performing canceloperation. In that case, the processing of FIG. 11 may be re-performed.

[0207] If the user on the other hand, verifies the copy contents, thenthe processing proceeds from step F309 to F310 after a copy OK check,and the actual copying starts.

[0208] The following communication operations are performed by means ofthe USB interface 43.

[0209] In step F309, first of all, a report (or notice) of the start ofcopy data transfer to the copy destination of drive device 20 B isperformed. When a report of the start of such a data transfer in thecopy destination of the drive device 20B is detected in step F401, theprocessing proceeds to step F402, and the copy operation or in otherwords, the setup processing for the receive and the write process isperformed.

[0210] Though not shown in the procedure in the flowchart, when write isimpossible in the stick memory 1B or when some kind of problem occurswith receive operation or write operation, then an error report isissued to drive device 20A, and the copy operation is error-terminated.

[0211] When the copy setup procedure is complete in the drive device20B, the CPU 41 of drive device 20B issues a setup-OK report to thedrive device 20A in step F403.

[0212] In the copy source of the drive device 20A, after the report ofstep F310 in FIG. 11, the process stands by for a setup-OK report instep F311, and when the setup-OK report is received, the processingproceeds to step F312 and the transfer of copy data and audio datacommences. The copy data as used here, refers to playlist data that issubject to copying. Also, the audio data as used here, refers to datafor one or a plurality of tracks entered in that playlist.

[0213] When transfer starts in step F312, the processing on the drivedevice 20B side proceeds from step F404 to F405 in FIG. 12, and thereceive processing of the transferred copy data and audio data as wellas the data writing onto the stick memory 1B is implemented.

[0214] The processing of step F312 in the drive device 20A isimplemented until the exchange of copy data and audio data is complete.When transfer (exchange) is complete, the processing stands by in stepF314 for a copy completion report.

[0215] The processing of step F405 in the drive device 20B isimplemented-until the reception of the required audio data and copy datathat was sent, as well as the writing onto the stick memory 1B iscomplete.

[0216] The updating (rewriting) of the TOC, and the updating (rewriting)or creation of the playlist table is also implemented along with thewriting of the in-coming transferred audio data and playlist.

[0217] When the reception and writing is complete, the process proceedsfrom step F406 to F407, and along with transmitting a report that copyrecording per the drive device 20A has ended normally, a copy endmessage is displayed on the display section 21 in step F408, and thecopy process ends.

[0218] In the drive device 20A on the other hand, when a report ofnormal copy completion is received, the process proceeds from step F314to F315, and here also, a copy end message is displayed on the displaysection 21 and the copy process ends.

[0219] Performing the copy processing as described above, allows theuser to copy a playlist recorded on the stick memory 1A, onto the stickmemory 1B and enjoy reproduction of the music in the same desired songsequence on the stick memory 1B. In other words, a playlist registeredon one stick memory 1, can be effectively utilized even on another stickmemory 1.

[0220] Also, if a playlist is created and organized on the stick memory1A such as by genre or by album, then the music of just a particularalbum of that particular genre can also be copied, and for instance, thebothersome task of selecting and copying a song of a particular genrebecomes unnecessary. In other words, not only can the playlist itself beeffectively utilized but the operation of copying a track can also begreatly simplified.

[0221] In the above description, the target track was also copied alongwith the playlist however, when the target track is already recorded inthe copy destination of the stick memory 1B, then copying of just theplaylist is sufficient.

[0222] The present invention is not limited to only the structure andoperation of the above related embodiments, and all types of variationsand adaptations in particular to the detailed procedures describedpreviously for the playlist creation processing, reproduction processingand copy processing are within the scope of the present invention.

[0223] When the data recorded on the recording medium for instance wasmusic data, reproduction can be made to start after an optional amountof time has elapsed within the track, by specifying a reproduction startposition on the playlist of the track. By further for example,specifying a record address on the recording medium and the relativeelapsed time from the beginning of the track specified on the playlist,reproduction can be made to start not only from the beginning of thetrack but from within the song. Thus, reproduction can also be performedby linking together only a particular phrase spanning and linking aplurality of tracks in music recorded in a track type configuration.

[0224] The system of the present invention further is not limited to thestick memory as shown in FIG. 1, and fixed memory mediums of otherexternal shapes such as memory chips, memory cards and memory modulesmay also be utilized. The memory device of course, is not limited toflash memories and other types of memory devices may also be utilized.

[0225] Also, the present invention is applicable not only to fixedmemories but also to other disk recording mediums such as minidisks, DVD(Digital Versatile Discs), hard disks and CD-R.

[0226] The music tracks utilized as one recording medium wereexclusively for reproduction here, however a medium having a writablearea such as a hybrid MD may also be implemented. The same is true ofcourse for media having a RAM area or a ROM area as a semiconductormedia.

[0227] In other words, if the media has as least a playlist and playlisttable capable of being written on, then the system utilizing that mediais applicable to the present invention.

[0228] The above examples further described a playlist as a means tospecify a song sequence for a music data file constituting a track,however this method is nothing more than an example. The presentinvention is not limited to a file with music data as the track, and forinstance moving image files, still image files and audio data files areall applicable to the present invention.

[0229] As can be understood in the above description of the presentinvention, a recording device loaded with a recording medium is recordedwith play list information generated specifying a desired reproductionsequence on all or a portion of data files so that recording can beperformed on a recording medium; further by specifying one desiredreproduction information from among one or a plurality of reproductionlist information recorded on a recording medium loaded in a reproductiondevice, one or a plurality of data files can be sequentially reproducedin a sequence based on the specified reproduction list information.

[0230] Therefore, if the user records the reproduction list informationof a desired reproduction sequence on the recording medium, then duringreproduction, besides the normal reproduction sequence based on the TOCconstituting the management information of the record medium,reproduction can be achieved in the song sequence set in the selectedreproduction list information, just by selecting that reproduction listinformation. In other words, the user can enjoy flexible and easyreproduction of a data file in many different reproduction sequences oneach recording medium.

[0231] Also, the fact that reproduction is possible based on thisreproduction list information and recording of this kind of reproductionlist information, means that the user can quite easily handle a largenumber of data files recorded on a recording medium.

[0232] In the present invention, the recording device comprises acommunication means capable of performing communication with externalreproduction devices, the recording means is capable of recording ontothe loaded recording medium, the reproduction list information sent fromthe reproduction device and received by way of the communication means;the reproduction device on the other hand, besides being capable ofperforming communications between external recording devices, comprisesa communication means capable of transmitting reproduction listinformation contents specified by a specifying operation means, to anexternal recording device. The reproduction list information recorded onthe recording medium loaded in the reproduction device can therefore becopied onto a recording medium loaded in the recording device. The usercan therefore make effective use of the recorded reproduction listinformation of a recording medium even on another recording medium.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reproduction method to reproduce the main datain a desired reproduction sequence from a recording medium having arecord region recorded with a plurality of main data, a first managementregion to manage the recording position of the main data, and a secondmanagement region recorded with a playlist to manage the reproductionsequence of the main data, comprising: retrieving step for retrievingwhether a playlist for reproduction of said main data in the desiredsequence is recorded or not on said second management region on therecording medium; and reproducing step for reproducing said main datafrom the record region based on said first management region, in thereproduction sequence according to the retrieved playlist when theplaylist is retrieved from said second management region as a result ofsaid retrieving step.
 2. A reproduction method as claimed in claim 1wherein said second management region contains at least one playlist. 3.A reproduction method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said secondmanagement region further contains a playlist table to manage saidplaylist.
 4. A reproduction method as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidreproduction method further comprises a step to select the reproductionsequence of said main data from said first management region and saidsecond management region, according to the user operation.
 5. Areproduction method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said reproductionmethod further comprises: displaying step for displaying said pluralityof playlists to the user from said playlist table when said playlisttable is retrieved in said second management region; and selecting stepfor selecting a playlist according to the user instructions from among aplurality of said displayed playlists.
 6. A reproduction method asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said recording medium is a non-volatilememory.
 7. An editing method to edit a playlist for reproducing the maindata in the desired reproduction sequence from a recording medium havinga record region recorded with a plurality of main data, a firstmanagement region to manage the recording position of the main data, anda second management region for managing the reproduction sequence of themain data, comprising: displaying step for displaying informationrelating to the main data recorded on the record region based on thefirst management region; selecting step for sequentially selecting themain data registered on said playlist from the displayed informationaccording to the user operation; and registering step for registeringthe selected main data, the information related to the first managementregion, and the reproduction sequence of the main data, in the relatedplaylist of the second management region.
 8. An editing method asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said editing method is capable of creating aplurality of playlists in said second management region.
 9. An editingmethod as claimed in claim 8 wherein said editing method furthergenerates a playlist table for managing said plurality of playlists andrecords said playlist table in said second management region.
 10. Anediting method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said playlist table isgenerated when said playlist table could not be found in said secondmanagement region of said recording medium.
 11. A reproduction devicefor reproducing main data in a desired sequence from a recording mediumhaving a record region recorded with a plurality of main data, a firstmanagement region to manage the recording position of the main data, anda second management region for managing the reproduction sequence of themain data, comprising: reproduction means for reproducing the main datafrom the record region; retrieving means for retrieving whether or not aplaylist is recorded on the second management region for reproduction ofthe main data in the desired sequence; first acquisition means foracquiring a playlist from said second management region; secondacquisition means for acquiring the record position of said main datafrom said first management region; and control means for acquiring theplaylist retrieved by said first acquisition means when the playlist wasretrieved in said second management region by retrieving performed insaid retrieving means, to acquire the record position of the main databy the reproduced in sequence by the second acquisition means based onthe playlist, and reproduce the main data with the reproduction meansbased on the acquired main data recording position.
 12. A reproductiondevice as claimed in claim 11 wherein said reproduction device has atleast one of said playlists in said second management region.
 13. Areproduction device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said reproductiondevice further has a playlist to manage one or more of said playlists insaid second management region.
 14. A reproduction device as claimed inclaim 13 wherein said reproduction device further comprises a displaymeans for displaying information relating to said playlist to allow theuser to select from a plurality of playlists managed in said playlisttable; operating means for the user for selecting a playlist frominformation relating to said playlist displayed on said display means;second retrieving means for retrieving said playlist table from thesecond management region of said recording medium; and further comprisescontrol means for retrieving the playlist table with the secondretrieving means, retrieving the playlist with the retrieving meansbased on the retrieved playlist table, displaying information relatingto the retrieved playlist based on said retrieved playlist table byutilizing said display means, and selecting the playlist according tothe user operation input from said operating means.
 15. A reproductiondevice as claimed in claim 11 wherein said reproduction device furthercomprises loading/unloading means capable of loading or unloading saidrecording medium.
 16. A reproduction device as claimed in claim 11wherein said recording medium is a non-volatile memory.
 17. An editingdevice to edit the playlist for reproduction of data in a desiredreproduction sequence from a recording medium having a record regionrecorded with a plurality of main data, a first management region tomanage the recording position of the main data, and a second managementregion for managing the reproduction sequence of the main data,comprising: display means for displaying information related to the maindata recorded in the record region based on the first management region;operating means for the user for selecting the main data registered inthe playlist from among the displayed information; write means forwriting the edited playlist onto the recording medium; and control meansfor displaying with the display means, information related to the maindata recorded on the record region based on said first managementregion, to obtain by the operating means the instructions for the maindata selected by the user from information relating to data displayedwith the display means, to sequentially register on the related playlistthe data selected by the user with information relating to the firstmanagement region and the reproduction sequence of the main data, and torecord said playlist in the second management region of the recordingmedium by use of said write means.
 18. An editing device as claimed inclaim 17 wherein said editing device is capable of making a plurality ofplaylists in said second management region.
 19. An editing device asclaimed in claim 18 wherein said editing device further generates aplaylist table and records said playlist table in said second managementregion for managing a plurality of playlists.
 20. An editing device asclaimed in claim 19 wherein said editing device generates a new playlisttable when said playlist was not retrieved in said second managementregion on said recording medium.